Freedom And Responsibility

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The concept of freedom of speech I learned while growing up was respectability and decency, as opposed to the unrestricted sensual indulgence that one hears and sees today.

With increasing intensity, people of our society are like youngsters away from parental supervision. They feel free to try new ideas and to experiment. They are full of energy and dare.

However, watching R-and X-rated movies, listening to profane music, indulging in pornography, and calling a bottle of urine art is not the same as young people trying out vices for the first time. Gutter speech and expressions are becoming acceptable standards.

Freedom of speech is much more than a right to create and participate in lewd expressions. Speech should be a quality by which a person can elevate himself. The mighty Roman empire declined because of moral decay and decadence. This nation cannot remain a shining light to the world when its foundation is rotten.

The sorrow is that freedom to do as one wants is to accept weakness and shame, for there is nothing of value in using opprobrious language or expressions.